The Paper Season 2 landed on Peacock on September 9, 2026, with all 10 episodes dropping at once. The finale, titled “The NS Board,” wrapped up the season’s biggest storylines while leaving several key threads open. From Ned Sampson and Mare Pritti’s complicated romance to the risky Glass Club investigation, here is a full breakdown of what happened and where things stand for a possible third season.
What Happened in The Paper Season 2 Finale
The second season picked up right after the Toledo Truth Teller staff won several Ohio Journalism Awards at the end of Season 1. Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson, started the season determined to prove the paper’s success was not a one-time fluke. His ambition, however, put the entire newsroom in a difficult position.
The main storyline revolved around the Glass Club, a powerful local private club. Ned was warned to stay away from the investigation, but he secretly built a team to keep digging. The story involved a possible crime connected to powerful advertisers, and by the finale, Ned and Detrick Moore, played by Melvin Gregg, had a major article ready to publish.
Publishing the story came with serious sacrifices. The finale shifted the question from whether Ned could find a great scoop to whether he was willing to accept what publishing it could cost the newspaper. Ned eventually handed the story over to Mare at the Cincinnati Chronicle, asking only that she share credit with Detrick.
Ned and Mare’s Relationship Ends
The romance between Ned and Mare, played by Chelsea Frei, was a central thread throughout Season 2. The two started the season together but kept their relationship hidden from colleagues because Ned is the editor-in-chief and Mare is his reporter.
The secrecy did not last. Ned accidentally revealed their relationship to his colleagues while trying to shut down other rumors. Mare broke up with him as a result. Even a hospital visit—Ned suffered mold poisoning from a cupcake Mare had left on his desk—did not bring them back together.
By the finale, Mare had a real opportunity to move to the Cincinnati Chronicle, a much better-resourced newsroom. Her career was moving forward, and she had to decide whether Toledo was still where she wanted to build it. The season ended without giving the pair a simple romantic resolution.
The Glass Club Story Still Has Consequences
The Glass Club investigation was the biggest professional risk Ned took in Season 2. The story involved bribery tied to health code violations, and it put the Toledo Truth Teller in a dangerous position.
The newspaper was not magically fixed by the investigation. The financial and professional problems that had followed the Truth Teller were still there, and Ned’s decision to pursue the story made his position even more complicated. Ned’s arc over the season shifted from wanting to prove himself as a journalist to reflecting on the people around him and the paper he is responsible for.
Cast Changes and New Faces in Season 2
Season 2 brought back the main cast, including Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson, Chelsea Frei as Mare Pritti, Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda Grand, and Melvin Gregg as Detrick Moore. Gbemisola Ikumelo, Tim Key, Ramona Young, Alex Edelman, Oscar Nuñez, Duane Shepard Sr., and Eric Rahill also returned.
The season added several guest stars. Jon Lovitz, Andy Richter, Toks Olagundoye, Phil Hendrie, Lisa Gilroy, and Matt Braunger appeared in guest roles. Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott on The Office, did not appear in Season 2.
Where Season 3 Stands Right Now
Peacock and NBC have not publicly renewed The Paper for a third season. The Season 2 renewal came before Season 1 even premiered, so a potential Season 3 is not on the same early timeline.
Co-creator Greg Daniels has said that Season 3 is already taking shape. In an interview with Parade, Daniels explained that the writers’ room is working on new episodes. “We’ll shoot 40 to 50 pages, and put it into a 25-minute episode,” Daniels said, describing the production model. He also noted that the second season benefited from the actors having more experience with their characters: “Every time you have a second season, it is so informed by the fact that the actors have had the experience of Season 1”.
Daniels and co-creator Michael Koman serve as showrunners and executive producers alongside Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein, Ben Silverman, and Banijay Americas.
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How to Watch The Paper Season 2 Worldwide
All 10 episodes of The Paper Season 2 are available to stream on Peacock in the United States. The season dropped at 3:00 a.m. ET on September 9, 2026.
For viewers in India, the season is available on JioHotstar starting September 10, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. IST. Episodes may also be accessible through bundled services like Airtel Xstream Play via OTTplay Premium.
UK, Canada, and Australia viewers can check local streaming platforms for availability, as the show’s international rollout varies by region. The Paper also airs on NBC starting November 10, at 8:30 p.m. PT/ET for viewers who prefer traditional broadcast.
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